The Hope

Ace detective Katie Hood faces a series of life-altering events-and a rising body count-in this action-packed follow-up to The Hut and The Hunt, serving up criminal suspense, Florida-style.

At the moment, homicide detective Katie Hood can do little more than wait . . . and hope. A shoot-out with a deadly cartel member has left her mentor, Sergeant Doaks, fighting for his life, and while her boyfriend, FBI agent Stone O'Neill, undergoes surgery to save his leg, Katie finds herself uncertain about what the future holds.

Two weeks later, everything has changed. Hood is back on the job, and thanks to a temporary promotion, she's now head of the Mangrove Sheriff's Department homicide squad. With Agent O'Neill working by her side, she tackles her first big case as sergeant: twenty-three dead bodies found buried in the sand at Coca Plum Beach.

As they dive into the investigation of a potential serial killer, a string of other crimes also surfaces, making matters more complicated. Corruption within the ranks of the department suggests ties to an international drug cartel and sex trafficking ring. Then there's the matter of an exploding experimental aircraft and a centuries-old sunken treasure. Could they be related too? Hood and O'Neill are determined to find answers, but it'll take the combined intelligence and firepower of the sheriff's department and SWAT team, the FBI, retired military expert Sergeant Major Bourne, and a few Navy SEALs to get the job done-and keep them alive.

In this crime action thriller, the Florida Keys breathes a life all its own, harboring secrets from its sandy beaches to the depths of its crystal-blue waters. Written by a former police chief and criminal justice professor channeling the approach of police procedurals (but with a Christian slant and no curse words), The Hope is a realistic look at the criminal investigation process, rich with details about processing crime scenes, analyzing forensic evidence, and chasing leads. An exciting blend of action adventure, criminal suspense, and political thriller, this series offers a little something for everyone-even the hopeless romantic.